Protected Information - PROTECTED B
Definition
Particularly sensitive information related to non-national interest that a) may qualify for an exemption or exclusion under the Privacy Act or the Access to Information Act and b) whose unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause serious injury to individuals, organizations or government.
Note: For guidance on the security categorization of Treasury Board Submissions, please visit the Privy Council Office site at: Security of Cabinet Confidences
Risks
Could result in:
- Substantial distress to individuals due to the loss of privacy
- Significant loss of competitive advantage to a Canadian company
- Impeding the investigation of a serious crime
- Impeding the development of major government policies
Examples (Not Limited to)
Documents containing more than one personal information data element:
- Solicitor-client privilege
- Performance evaluations and character references
- Trade secrets
- Third party business information provided in confidence where compromise could result in injury
- Information pertaining to an investigation into possible violation of law/criminal information/histories
- Medical, psychiatric or psychological reports
- Threats and Risks Assessments (TRAs)
- Business Continuity Plans (BCPs)
Security Screening Level | Reliability Status |
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Minimum Security Zone | Operations Zone. (Area monitored periodically and where access is limited to personnel who work there and to properly escorted visitors). |
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Marking | Top right-hand corner on first page. |
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Storage | Operations Zone. Hard copy: Locked cabinet or open shelving. Electronic copy: Store on network drive or on department approved and issued USB storage device in locked cabinet. |
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Preparation & Processing | Operations Zone or Security Zone as determined by a risk assessment. |
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Transport By Hand (To physically hand-carry protected or classified information from one person or place to another.) |
Within restricted areas: Outside restricted areas: |
The use of a commercial locking briefcase is required for all employees who need to transport PROTECTED B (paper or electronic) documents outside the building they work in. |
Transmission (To send Protected or Classified information from one person/place to another by a third party.) |
By Fax: By E-mail: By Mail/ Courier: |
FAX: |
Declassification and Downgrading |
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Information is to be identified as protected or classified only for the period of time it requires safeguarding. After this period, the originator or the authorized officer is to have it declassified or downgraded (PDF, 398 KB), appropriately marked, and to inform all recipients of this action and its effective date. Whenever possible, originators are to provide, at the time the information is created or collected, a specific date or event at which time declassification or downgrading may occur. As a minimum, an automatic expiry date of 10 years should apply to the categorization of most information; however, the automatic expiry date would not apply to information classified as Top Secret nor to information identified as particularly sensitive PROTECTED B, (e.g. medical records) or extremely sensitive, PROTECTED C, (e.g. witness protection information). |
Destruction | Hard copy: Commercially available cross-cut (Type II) shredder or RCMP recommended Type II shredder. Electronic copy: Destroy using approved methods. For further advice, please open an Online Service Request with the National Service Desk. |
Follow the Retention and Disposal Schedule from Information Management. |